Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX20
57 Imaging
56 Features
45 Overall
51


96 Imaging
39 Features
50 Overall
43
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX20 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- No Video
- Sigma SA Mount
- 790g - 146 x 113 x 80mm
- Announced April 2012
- Replaced the Sigma SD1
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-100mm (F3.5-4.6) lens
- 133g - 96 x 56 x 18mm
- Introduced February 2012

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX20 Overview
Its time to look a little more closely at the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony TX20, one being a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Ultracompact by rivals Sigma and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SD1 Merrill (15MP) and the TX20 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the SD1 Merrill (APS-C) and TX20 (1/2.3") have different sensor measurements.

The SD1 Merrill was launched 2 months later than the TX20 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sigma SD1 Merrill being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony TX20 being a Ultracompact camera.
Before diving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the SD1 Merrill matches up against the TX20 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX20 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20. The complete galleries are viewable at Sigma SD1 Merrill Gallery and Sony TX20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Sigma SD1 Merrill over the Sony TX20
SD1 Merrill | TX20 |
---|
Reasons to pick Sony TX20 over the Sigma SD1 Merrill
TX20 | SD1 Merrill | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 922k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+462k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Sigma SD1 Merrill and Sony TX20
SD1 Merrill | TX20 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2012 | ![]() | February 2012 | Similar generation |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very exact focusing | ||
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen |
Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX20 Physical Comparison
If you're looking to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Sigma SD1 Merrill offers exterior measurements of 146mm x 113mm x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") having a weight of 790 grams (1.74 lbs) while the Sony TX20 has proportions of 96mm x 56mm x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).
Take a look at the Sigma SD1 Merrill versus Sony TX20 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SD1 Merrill vs the TX20.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SD1 Merrill and TX20 is 57 and 96 respectively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX20 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at specifications. The graphic below will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SD1 Merrill and TX20.
To sum up, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SD1 Merrill due to its larger sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field simpler and the Sony TX20 will give you more detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a good deal more aggressively.

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX20 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma SD1 Merrill vs Sony TX20 Specifications
Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Sigma | Sony |
Model type | Sigma SD1 Merrill | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 |
Category | Advanced DSLR | Ultracompact |
Announced | 2012-04-10 | 2012-02-28 |
Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Ultracompact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Dual True II | BIONZ |
Sensor type | CMOS (Foveon X3) | BSI-CMOS |
Sensor size | APS-C | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 24 x 16mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 384.0mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 15 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | - | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4800 x 3200 | 4608 x 3456 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 125 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Cross type focus points | - | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Sigma SA | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 25-100mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.5-4.6 |
Macro focusing range | - | 1cm |
Number of lenses | 76 | - |
Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460k dots | 922k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | - | XtraFine TruBlack TFT LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Optical (pentaprism) | None |
Viewfinder coverage | 96 percent | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.64x | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | - | 4 secs |
Max shutter speed | - | 1/1600 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | - | 10.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 3.70 m |
Flash modes | no built-in flash | Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | - | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1440 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | None | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | - | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 790g (1.74 pounds) | 133g (0.29 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 146 x 113 x 80mm (5.7" x 4.4" x 3.1") | 96 x 56 x 18mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 250 photographs |
Battery style | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NP-BN |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | Compact Flash (Type I, UDMA compatible) | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Cost at release | $2,339 | $330 |